Creeps ruling

“What did you thought? She has transformed into a rabbit from a tigress?”

 

“If she had the courage of walking out of your den on her own legs why will she whine now?”

 

“You should have left her alone. But how could you do that? You had to prove that you are mightiest scoundrel in the whole world.”

 

“Now suffer the consequences.”

 

“You have tried to hit her from all sides, just like a pack of dirty ghouls. Hoping that she will die out of repulsion for you. But she did not. Ha ha!”

 

“You have turned a soft, demure, decent girl into a well of strength. Though you tried to do exactly the otherwise. But nothing worked.”

 

“You created a citadel outside her home. Spent years discussing all sorts’ unsavoury canards about her. So that each and every neighbour hears them. It was not necessary for her to listen, was it ? Listening of neighbours was enough. Right Dasmoshai? It’s so easy to ruin the reputation of a woman if dirty creeps like you are furious at her. Tch tch… ”

 

“You made her stepping out of the house, even staying in there, impossible using your filthy nature and filthy camaraderie. But… “

 

“You followed her around using your strong networks. Creeps like you get produced in some factory? I see too many of them these days. It’s a shame for any society.”

 

“Where was I? Oh yes, you followed her around like a pack of flees. So decent people distanced themselves from her and only creeps like you hovered around her.”

 

“You thought she will succumb to loneliness. Ha ha!!”

 

“You did believe that evil rules the world, did not you?”

 

“Now, that you have seen the last glories of evil say goodbye to the world.”

 

Next morning the villagers saw the dead bodies of three nice young men of the village. They all have been missing since last few days. There was a label stuck on chest of one of them “You reap what you sow.”

Zari

She rang the bell. A woman peeped from inside.

 

“Yes?”

 

“I have taken the permission of working as a volunteer here.”

 

“Come in and sit down.”

 

A few minutes later a lady came down. Her dress told that she was member of the organization. The other woman was most probably an ayah.

 

“You can come and go whenever you please.” The second woman smiled and left.

 

She entered the hall. It was filled up with small children. They all had one thing in common, various degrees of autism.

 

She sat down on the floor and those who could move slowly gathered around her. Some of them were extremely affectionate and love hungry. Some were moody and some did not wanted to be touched. They all needed a lot of co operation from the volunteers. Starting from dressing, changing them to feeding them.

 

She was a social reject. Her own family has thrown her out because she had no money. She had a roof on her head and food on her plate. No future, no hope. The very family members who were served by her have now become strangers. They tried to make her feel in every step that she was a burden to them.

 

She has lost every faith on human relationships and unselfish love. She stumbled upon this place by accident. She had plenty of free time so she decided to dedicate it there.

 

“So you are going to volunteer here?” the girl was measuring her from head to toe.

 

“All the sisters here love me very much. They even asked me to become a nun and join the organization.” She continued on her own.

 

Briti suppressed a sigh, “women just can’t get over their envy, can they? Even when they are in sacred places.”

 

“They always have to prove their superiority over others.” She thought inside. On outside she just smiled.

 

 

 

“Don’t pamper the children too much didi.” Zari said. “You will be gone after a few days and they will become nightmares for us.”

 

A month has passed already. The children have become a great admirer of her. Adding up to that Zari noted that the volunteers too liked her a lot. Thus she tried to prove her superiority by showing her authority over the children. The only reason that Briti was in that place.

 

The thing which infuriated Zari most was Briti’s shrugging her rudeness away. She might have been thinking Briti as a rival. May be she was scared that the sisters will ask Briti to become a nun.

 

A few months later Briti stopped going there, she never met Zari again but her strange jealousy and behaviour lingered in her heart for years.

 

In place of loving those orphans she acted like a despot, trying to push away every loving hand that reached out for them.

Monsters

“We have been on the trail of this gang for years. It’s a disgrace to the whole Police Department.”

 

“It won’t be possible to punish the insiders because their escape plan is too foolproof. But we will be able to caution the society, even at the cost of our own jobs.” Chandraneel said.

 

“It was a human trafficking gang working through out the country. It worked under the active cooperation of local powers.”

 

“Their agents prowled in colleges. Mostly as students, who just did not succeeded in clearing their exams.”

 

 

“They picked up the most attractive ones and started their action. If the girl was of a weak mind preying her was an apple pie. But if she turned out to be strong minded they laid the bait of marriage.”

 

“They took care about two things; first that the victim was completely overpowered in the first hit and his/her bridge to return to society was burnt to ashes.”

 

“They had a lot of power working behind their back. But over confidence is really a sick thing. It makes you see flowers in desert. Or worse, it shows you oasis to make you wander in the desert to perish.”

 

“These agents never worked in their own states, and were never visible before their joining the college. Once after joining the college they made a strong net with the help of their preys. Who vowed that they have known them from years. No one goes to snoop on authenticity of their lover’s words, does one?”

 

“In case of weak victims,  they were easy to control, intimidated absolutely by fear. They never caused any problem.”

 

“Danger lurked from the strong minded ones, they usually tested the strength of character of their victims, to confirm if the risk was worth it.”

 

“If they realized before entrapment that the person was too strong willed they just slipped him. If they realized after entrapment that the man was strong willed they drove him either to suicide or insanity, using their power in every sphere.”

 

“We simply believe any thing which two people say to us, don’t we? We never even try to apply our own brain to judge the person they are backwashing. We just follow them like lambs follow the shepherd.”

 

“Then they made the mistake of their life. They thought she was as soft as flower. She turned out to be fire. Soft, velvety, dazzling and deadly.”

 

“The rate on her head was so high that they decided to apply force, the girl became mum for a few years, and then she contacted a detective agency, and submitted the report to me.”

 

Chandraneel had a reputation of extremely honest officer.

 

“Though they have destroyed her life, completely, beyond repair, but if I flash this story in all the news papers at-least other parents and girls will be saved.”

 

“These people should be informed of the truth that you just can’t ruin a person’s reputation and life and walk away scot-free to do it again and again. It’s not a jungle and we are not deers.”

The shark

“Listen, we don’t have any thing special against you. you are just one of those who have reaped benefit from our organization.”

 

“Just like any other organization, we too have some rules and regulations. Every person who has worked for us is free to go, but, he or she will have to recruit two persons for us.”

 

She sat there, grimly. Listening to his words and left his room after he has finished. He was a very egoistic and vindictive man, who didn’t tolerated a flicker of disobedience. The last thing she wanted was a problem at the last stage of her slavery.

 

She landed in his claws because she did not had any other choice. Her father had a serious accident, he ended up paralyzed. There were four siblings looking up at her. Her mother was an illiterate housewife. To add up to that, a huge amount of money was borrowed from others to pay her father’s medical bills.

 

Shantamasi walked in with a proposal. Her invisibility was assured, all she will have to do is go to Mr. Singh’s den in a remote town and tell every one at her home-town that she has found a job in Shimla.

 

She will work there as long as she wants. Of course the minimum span being the time she will take to settle her dues. This will be paid by Mr. Singh now.

 

She left because she did not had any other choice. Her refusal would have meant killing her family. So she risked her life. But as she was promised, she realized soon that her identity was completely safe. Because her clients were very rich who did not wanted any kind of trouble. She was a gorgeous looking woman so she soon paid her debt and made a little money for herself. Then she asked Mr. Singh for leave….

 

She returned to her hometown for a few days. She was sitting in the drawing room when a distant relative of hers came.

 

“Tapasi, how are you? shantadi was telling me you have found a good job in Shimla and paid all the debts of your family?”

 

“Your uncle has ruined us, he has wasted all his savings in gambling and have incurred a huge debt. Can you search for a good job for Mita in your school?”

 

“The debtors are driving us insane. We wont be able to stay alive for long if they hound us every day like this. Soon they will throw us out in the streets.” Her aunt begged with tears in her eyes.

 

She too had a huge family and an incapable husband.

Greed

He really liked her a lot. Have seen her quite a lot but not from close proximities. In the street, in public places, and sometimes in revelries of the housing. She was a very warm girl, from a cultured but very poor family.

 

He has lost his wife when his only daughter sumi was one year old, he loved Mohini so much that he decided to never marry again. Then Sumi started to grow up and by the time she celebrated her tenth birthday he realized why little girls need a mother.

 

Still he was scared to go for arranged marriages. He loved Sumi too much. He did what he thought was right, he asked his mother and sister to see if Shobha liked Sumi. He had confidence on himself because he has often seen her blush at him. He was a very handsome and nice man, that’s what his friends told him again and again. Specially the girlfriends.

 

 

The verdict was passed a few months later; both his mother and sister unanimously said that she was not the right type of girl. He never doubted their decision.  

 

They found out someone else for him, and he got married. Sikta was his sister’s sister in law.

 

He was returning from office that night when he suddenly stumbled into Shobha. She was coming out of a small orphanage situated near his office.

 

“Hi! Visiting?” he asked.

 

“No, I spend every weekend here. I come here after office on Friday and leave on Saturday night. I love children and I love to spend some time with them.” She said softly. “How is Sumi? She asks me a lot about Matrikror (mother’s lap), she was insisting a lot on Thursday when we met, to bring her here.” She laughed a little.

 

“Sumi knows you?” he was surprised.

 

“Yes, of course, she is the cutest child of the housing. She comes to my home every day at-least once. My family dotes on her. You are blessed to have an angel like her in your life.” She beamed.

 

 

“Ma, do you remember Shobha?” he asked his mother the next day, “The girl you rejected?”

 

“Yes, of course. Why not?” his mother replied.

 

“Why did you reject her?” he asked sounding casual.

 

“She was extremely rude and cold to Sumi.” Was her reply, “Why are you asking these questions now?”

 

“Nothing…” he got up and left the room to sleep.

 

“Sumi, do you know Shobha aunty?” he asked his daughter, they were out for a small trip to the local zoo. Only father and daughter. He was about to have his second child, so Sikta was at her mother’s place.

 

“Shobha aunty loves us a lot. We all go to her home to play, learn dance, recitation and songs.” Sumi said. Then she started to speak about Shobha endlessly, it did not took him long to realize that all the children of the housing doted after Shobha.

 

He realized why his mother and sister has rejected Shobha, not because of her nature but because of money. Sikta has brought a huge lump of dowry with her.

 

It was true that Sikta was not unkind to Sumi, but she did not love her either. He wondered what will happen after his mother dies or her own child is born.

Love Net

They have waged war against each other for centuries. So much blood has been shed on both sides of the border that the hatred has seeped into the heart of its citizens too. They don’t need inflammatory speeches from their leaders any more. They hated each other by instinct. Those who did not did not dare to say that openly.

“It’s easy to infiltrate in an army of corrupted people. You can buy them, but what to do with honest, patriotic people? We need to know what’s going on in their camps or else we will be forever on our guard.”

The prime minister was talking with the defense minister. A new man in cabinet. Extremely popular for his cunningness.

The defense minister sat there with a blank expression on his face. After a while he muttered loudly, “even the strongest person has its weak points.”

“People who don’t give in to greed give in to lust or love.” He mused, “It’s a century old tradition, to use love to trap people of strength.”

He pushed an album towards him. The prime minister picked it up and opened it. It was filled with photographs of dazzling men and women.

“Who are they?

“Our nymph brigade.”

“These men and women are hand picked and trained in the art of seduction. They have an identity and family too across the border. But these all are magical families and identities they keep on changing. Just like jig saw puzzles.”

“These nymphs will act as our eyes and ears in their camp. They will trap the most powerful or influential ones any how, even at the cost of marrying them and work for us from their closest circle.”

“They will control them by love and make them puppets in their beautiful hands. We will gain access or control on all their spheres.”

“What if they are caught? Or some one becomes obsessed with them and they can’t get rid of that person?”

“They will be replaced by the person whose name, identity they are using. Who are as ordinary as you and me, so their suitor will curse his fate and walk away without daring to admit that he had an affair with this drab man or woman. Our nymph will change her identity and enter another body bag.”

“Now, if you permit, I will destroy the album. Because our success is completely intermingled.”

He got up and left the room, leaving behind the prime minister, whose heart was full of admiration and suspicion. He started to think about his latest flame, a dazzling creature who has just walked into his life.

Father

“I know what you have done.” He said. “I know all your deeds till date.”

“I will try to help you out of it if you help me out of a little problem.”

She was sitting there; her cheeks were burning with embarrassment.

She was no saint. Her father was a greedy wolf, who abused his wife to no end and spent all his earning on himself. His wife worked as a school teacher and took care of the four daughters with whom he has blessed her.

She, Sumitra was the elder most. When she reached her adolescence she realized what money is and soon she followed her father, she befriended a lot of boys and used them for her pocket money.

She was usually very cautious, but as sometimes it just happens, she slipped and now she is carrying a baby. It’s quite late to abort.

She doesn’t know how her father found it out. But here he was standing in front of her, with her darkest secrets on his lips.

“I will introduce you to my boss. All you will have to do is trap him. I will arrange your marriage within this month.” He said.

“You’re a smart girl, you will manage the rest.” He smirked.

“Don’t be afraid, he is too old to resist you. I owe him a lot of money. I will never be able to pay him back his debts, but if he marries you that will save my neck. And you can live like a queen with his money.” He winked at her shamelessly.

She listened to him with a mixture of hatred and greed in her heart.

“When do you want me to meet him?” she asked avoiding his eyes.

The lie

“I lied to you.” He said, “And most probably God punished me for that.” His eyes welled up.

 

They were sitting side by side on a park bench, facing the river Ganges. Sun was setting, casting a red glow on the silver water of the river.

 

She softly laid her hand on his. “Don’t be so cruel on yourself. That’s a common game married men play, since time immemorial.”

 

“You could have done worse, you might have taken advantage of my blind love for you, which you did not.”

 

“Your wife’s death was an accident. It did not had any thing to do with the trick you played with me. God is not that cruel.”

 

Aritra and Ratri were net friends, who stumbled into each other on internet and had too much in common. They became very good friends. Aritra doted on Ratri, Ratri was quite practical, she knew cyber romances don’t last so she kept her mind in place.

 

Then they met, and she fell in love, he was a unique being. Extremely handsome and virtuous. The thing which bowled her over was through out their date he did not touched her even once.

 

He returned to his town and instantly terminated the romantic side of the friendship, though she tried to win his heart back but it appeared it has become ice cold.

 

“I fell in love the moment I saw you, but I knew I will never be able to cheat you or cause you pain. So I instantly changed myself but I could not forget you.”

 

“Amita was too busy in her career, we have loved each other for first ten years, but then she got completely stuck up in her career, she did not had any time for us. I and our two children, Amit and Aratrika.”

 

“Then I met you on net and I started to flirt with you, but the day I saw you it changed to love.”

 

“Amita was out in one of her business trips last year and a reckless driver rammed into her car. She was dead before arriving to the hospital.”

 

“That’s when I completely vanished from your life. Because I thought I got my punishment and I will spend my days with my children. I never thought you will find me out.”

 

“I still love you.” She softly held his hand and then held it with both her hands firmly.

Letting go

“She will never understand you! A person who is completely immersed in worldly pleasures and desires will never truly realize why Siddhartha left his palace to look for truth.”

 

“She may not say so out loudly due to the fear of scorn, but deep inside she will think that it was worthwhile just because he could become Gautam Buddha,  or else he would have been one of the best losers of human history. She will never even realize the satisfaction behind letting go every thing, including minimum necessities..”

 

“I can assure you, she is dead certain that you are heartbroken and miserable, that is why she keeps on flittering around you and she/her friends keep asking you the same question in fifty forms.”

 

They were sitting side by side, watching the sun set on distant horizon. Its crimson rays were lingering in the sky, clouds and every thing it could touch. Creating a world of magical beauty.

 

Ahana was Kankana’s closest friend. They have been each other’s best friends for years. Recently Ahana has come to visit Kankana from her present home in Delhi.

 

Kankana loved Atanu, they have loved each other for quite a few years, quite deeply. Then Atanu asked his family for the permission to marry her. Permission was granted, but a little time was asked from them, the time to get Atanu’s older brother Santanu get married.

 

His marriage already arranged,, with one of Atanu’s father’s friend’s daughter, Banalata. Santanu wanted to take voluntary retirement from his service in Army before marrying. So did Banalata, because she was scared of the risks.

 

They were waiting for Santanu’s retirement when he was killed in an encounter. To add up to the shock they came to know that Banalata was pregnant with his child. She refused to have him or/her aborted. There was only one choice left and that happened, Atanu married Banalata.

 

Another shock was in store for the family. Santanu came back, he was held captive but not killed. He bluntly refused ever touching Banalata. He went back to his office telling he wont take the VRS as it was no longer required.

 

Atanu’s heart was shattered to pieces. He came to meet Kankana and asked her what he should do.  He was thinking about divorcing Banalata. Though she was quite a docile wife to him and the kid was three years old, called him dad and doted on him. Their marriage blessed them with a daughter, who is yet to complete her first year on earth.

 

Kankana told him to forgive her, if she is loyal to him, may be she faltered only once and lied to save herself from ruin. If she is adulterous then Atanu can always walk away from her he has enough proof to get a divorce.

 

“Don’t think for a second that you will be able to get rid of Banalata’s shadow from your life, as her soul is guilty she will always keep a watch on you.”

 

“It should not have happened this way but sometimes life takes most unpleasant turns but I am glad that it brought out the best in you and molded you into gold.”Ahana held her hand firmly.

Vendetta

“Has any one ever told you that lie does not have feet to walk on? It cant even stand on its own for long.”

“I believed all your stories and helped you to get your vendetta till.. till I saw that girl and mixed with her for a year.”

“You were so blinded by your hatred for her family that you thought I am blind, I will act as your puppet and ruin her.”

“I don’t know what her family has done, or how they have made your sister commit suicide, but I can tell you one thing that THIS GIRL DID NOT HAD ANY THING TO DO WITH THAT. To be truthful, I am lately having a little doubt on your authenticity. May be you had some personal problem with the girl….”

“Tell me buddy, do you want me to believe that you have mixed with this girl as a friend, stalked, cyberstalked her as her BEST FRIEND for three years and yet you could not realize that she is as pure as a morning rose?”

“In all these years of stalking in disguise of a dear friend you never realized that she hates her family as much as you do…”

He laid down both his elbows on the table and placed his face on his palms, looking at her very thoughtfully.

“Your hatred for her scares me, how vicious you women can become when you are determined to ruin someone, don’t you? You don’t mind pretending as her best friend and slowly sending her to hell, your eyes cry to fool her while your heart jumps with glee… really scary I should say. I am glad that I am bachelor!” he winked at her grimly.

“But I will certainly applaud you on your acting and lying skills.”

“You had her destruction in your mind from the very beginning. So you rented a house near her home and started to keep a stock on her.”

“Then your brother started to pretend that he is in love with her, madly. Of course, you had to interfere, you could not let her in your family, her family made your baby sister kill herself.”

“So you forced your brother to marry someone of your choice.” He continued, “Well he did, to a police officer! Even had a daughter.”

“But he continued his affair with her, and she was also madly in love with him, even though she knew he was married, now that’s your version, the thing which you convinced me into.”

“Again both you and your sister in law became outraged. And vowed that you will destroy her.”

“In place of controlling your brother or confirming with her whether she knows he is married or not, you appointed a goon to harass her.”

“That man broadcasted everywhere that she is his mistress, and not only that, he forced his way into their home terrorizing her poor family, to convince the neighbours that he is true.”

“Not only that,, my information tell me that the person she loved is your cousin, your brother’s friend, just like it happens in families, his voice is almost like him, he left for UK after knowing that she wont be accepted in his family and your brother started to use his phone number and created a fake id in his name. As they have never met it was not possible for her to realize that her actual lover has been replaced by a fraud with deadly intentions.”

“Then you started to reap what you sowed, but even then you did not learned your lesson and you tried to trick me into killing her. “

“I sincerely hope that you will get your dues sooner or later. Now you can disappear from my life like I never saw you. But if my men say that they have seen any one harassing that girl I will see you…” his voice sounded eerily ominous.

Ragini

She  arrived in kolkata from a remote village of Bihar with one dream in her eyes, become Tollygunge’s Madhuri Dixit. She ended up as the mistress of a lower rung director, fat, old and ugly…. But with enough money to fulfill her whims, as long as they were logical.

 

She was sick of the whole affair, she could not break free because she did not had anywhere to go, and she knew that she wont go anywhere with him either. He was married with a son.  A son who was couple of years older than her. She  felt absolute repulsion whenever he touched her but he has not forced himself upon her, it was she who has trapped and netted him.

 

She was shopping in a plaza when she saw him shopping at a distance with his family. She took the cover of a shelf so he could not see her. His wife was an average looking, decent woman and his son was autistic. Quite amply autistic, with enough control on limbs but not much control over worldly wisdom or ways.

 

A couple of months went away, Mr. Sisodia returned home after a trip abroad. His wife Chanchal was waiting for him in the airport.  

 

She gave him a huge smile, “Rakesh has searched a bride for himself. Can you believe it? I like her too. She is from some small town in Bihar.”

 

“She said she knows you, and respects you a lot.” She added, “She has struggled for a while in Tollygunge before realizing its too dirty. She was working in the same office with Rakesh and they fell in love.”

 

“She knows me? Well, invite her for dinner tomorrow, I want to see who is she!” he said casually.

 

“Mom, Dad meet Ragini, the girl I talked about.” Rakesh happily announced. Mr. Sisodia stared at the demure girl standing behind him.

 

She talked very little, and left after dinner. Both Mrs. Sisodia and Rakesh were charmed by her.

 

“You did not asked her to send her parents to us to finalize the date?” his wife asked him when they were sitting in the balcony together. Rakesh has gone to drop Ragini home.

 

Mr. Sisodia only stared at her.

Unwanted

“So you are confirmed that you will not marry Tanuja, you will marry Rekha?” Chandra asked her brother softly.

“Yes, I don’t like Tanuja, she is too drab, she does not even knows how to move around in society.” Pratim said.

“She knows it very well how to move around in society, but she is too soft and sophisticated for your taste.” Chandra said, “Its your life do what you want. But in future if you realize that Rekha does not wants Sushma sent her to me. I will bring her up.”

“She may not be second mother to Sush but she will bring her up all right.” Pratim said arrogantly. “Now if you will excuse me I will go to bed.”

He went upstairs, taking two steps at a time, leaving Chandra in the drawing room. Sushma was sleeping with Chandra, she loved her pishimoni a lot.

Pratim’s wife passed away during delivery. Chandra was living with them at that time, her husband worked on a ship and was out on his final voyage. He is to return next month and stay. He will be working in Kidderpore after that, in Kolkata office.

Sushma was now three years old. Chandra wanted her brother to marry her college friend Tanuja, she knew Tanuja has loved Pratim but never dared to express it, reason? She knew what Pratim thinks of her. Call it a sixth sense with which only lovers are blessed.

Rekha was Pratim’s sister in law, his in-laws too wanted him to marry her because they had greater faith on their own daughter than Chandra’s friend when it came to loving their grand-daughter.

Chandra’s only reason behind objection was she has noted how cold Rekha was to Sushma and all other children. She did not liked children much, she was one of those women who are more lover than a mother.

As for Tanuja she knew how much she doted after Pratim and she has seen deep affection in her eyes when they were around Sushma. To her she was a piece of him.




The marriage occurred after a month of the discussion between the siblings and Chandra shifted to her new flat a month after that. She took Sushma with her because Pratim was out on honeymoon trip.

She thought it would be best if Sushma stayed with her while Pratim and Rekha settle in their love nest after their return. She decided that she will send her to them when they ask for her.

She was surprised when a couple of months passed away after their return and none showing any interest to take Sushma home. Pratim visited her every day without break for at-least half an hour, that’s all.

Chandra and her husband Dhwanit were quite amused but they thought it better to not ask. It might not be the best for the child if she lands there as an eyesore. And they were quite happy that their own son, who was two years older than Sushma had a playmate.

“Ask Pratim if we can enroll Sushma in Arghya’s school.” Dhwanit asked Chandra. “She will get late if we delay it any further.”

“Do it for now, I will later transfer her to its Bhowanipore branch, once Rekha is settled in home. She is rearranging the whole flat. We may change the flat too, you know, somewhere near to our offices, so we can give more time to Sushma.” Pratim said.

Another six months passed away. That day Pratim came with a box of sweets. “Sushma is going to have a brother or sister.” He laughed merrily.

“In that case let her stay with us Pratim, Rekha will need rest. She will get exhausted with Sushma, she is a bundle of mischief.” Dhwanit said.

“Thanks dada.” Pratim clasped his hand.




The new member arrived seven months later. He was a boy. The nurses and doctors said he was carbon copy of Rekha. Chandra and Dhwanit entered the nursing home with a bouquet of flower and Sushma.

Pratim was waiting for them in the lobby. He was brimming with happiness. They entered the cabin, Rekha was sitting their, glowing like a morning rose. Holding and kissing the new born passionately.

She looked up at them and smiled. “We can bring Sushma back home now. Her little brother will have a playmate.”

“No, she will stay with Chandra.” Pratim said. “I think that will be the best for her.”

Devil’s own

“So you say that you loved her thinking that she was an innocent girl but your views changed after all these years?” he was looking at him with a strange intensity in his eyes, Sitendra shifted uneasily under the stern gaze of those eyes. It appeared as if a dark fire was burning behind those dark eyes.

“All these years which you and your hired men spent stalking her, finding out her wherever she went ? Keep talking, it’s a good story.” His gaze was fixed on his face.

“You are trying to say that you wasted those thousands of dollars I sent you without even knowing that her siblings are usurping that money without giving her a single penny? Not only that, they presented another girl who introduced herself to you as her, then she got married to your son, and then the game was caught but you could not throw her out because your son was in love with her…. Interesting! To compensate you started to monitor Bibhabari’s whereabouts so you could help her, and you pretended as ME to keep an eye on her, as a guardian of course, then you fell in love with her because your wife was a fiend…. You should have opted for a career in movies as a story writer”

“I sometimes really wonder how you men first start lying and then how you keep adding more and more to that thinking everyone else is a fool.”

The speaker was Sarvesh, Sitendra’s friend. His son fell in love with a girl of poor family during his trip to India. Sarvesh asked Sitendra to check in stealth if the girl is alright. There was another reason he wanted to enquire about her a little, although his son Rik was a very handsome man, the girl has repeatedly refused his proposals saying she will never marry. That was the point which bothered him and that was the reason he wanted the investigation in secret. He did not wanted any problem with his daughter in law.. if she was meant to become so.

“As was supposed to happen, when that impostor married your son, my heartbroken son was healed by your daughter and they eventually got married three years back.” Sarvesh chuckled.

“But my mean men are telling me that you made up this story to keep MY money in YOUR family.”

“You know, there are so many flaws in your story… first my men say your son’s wife is Bibhabari’s neighbour, your son used to meet her quite often before marriage. While original Bibhabari was residing in the same i.e. her home, it’s strange that you two, who knew every thing about her slipped on this, I believe all her neighbours call her bibhabari and that impostor Renuka, right??”

“Then comes the question, when you knew that your daughter in law is a fraud, why did not you instantly inform me? If you had spent the money you might have apologized.”

“But in place of that you stalked Bibhabari for last three years faking as me, a widower. And last three years have been nightmarish to her, she has been provoked so much that a normal girl would have committed suicide, its her nerve of steel or may be God has kept her going so I could know the truth.”

“You have been sending her saucy mails year after year using my name, pretending as her well-wisher on net and your hired men have been harassing her out on the street, then your fiend of a wife came to know that….”

“She was as furious as hell and tried to get her murdered and failed..” an expression of boredom crept on Sarvesh’s face. “Phew!!!”

“You brought her to one of your friend’s houses with the help of her brother so you could save her from the fury of your wife.”

“But my nasty men say you did it all to keep her under vigilance, a group of your men always stalked her, and followed her whenever she tried to join a job or have a social life, they followed her as a pack of flees following a deer, as a result she ended up without a job or social life.”

“You know, I trust my men, they are professional and have reputation.” Sarvesh said, “They have even told me about some of the matches you fixed for her, one of the was a severe psychiatric patient, the other a jailbird, third an electrician of another religion..”

“Neither I nor my son have any faith left on you any more. I have already shared your story with my son, he is sitting in the next room listening to your story, and we have unanimously decided that your daughter will go back to you and Bibhabari will become my daughter in law, if any of you object……. You can get your daughter remarried to any one of your selected grooms, I will pay the dowry”

daughter

“Upasana, I cant deny that you are an adorable person but the real reason behind my marriage is Sakshi. My daughter. I want a wife who will love her as her own. You have been born and brought up in a joint family, and every one says you dote after children, I sincerely hope that you will love my motherless daughter like you loved them.” Prasun looked at her with eyes full of expectation.

“She is not ‘your motherless child’ “ Upasana quipped, “She is our daughter.”

“Do you think you can blindly trust me?” she asked, “Otherwise I will have to regret the decision of marrying you.”

Prasun hugged her tightly. “Thanks sweetheart.”

Prasun loved his first wife very much, she passed away when Sakshi was three years old, he took another ten years to marry Upasana. After realizing that he cant bring up a daughter on his own especially when he has to travel around the country.

He has initially left her with his own brother and sister in law, then one day he came back from a tour all of a sudden and saw him belting her while the rest of his family watched. He came to know later that all the money he spent was used by his family while she was doled out the leftovers.

Then he decided to take the risk of a step mother. To his relief he noted that Upasana and Sakshi became quite fond of each other, pretty quickly.

A couple of years passed by like dream then Upasana became pregnant. They were blessed by a son. Sakshi doted after her baby brother. She loved playing with him for hours, enjoying every thing about him.

It was a beautiful evening, they were playing in the garden, Upasana was working in the kitchen. All of a sudden Sakshi came running, Soham was missing. Sakshi has come inside for a glass of water and he has vanished.

They both searched the whole house, garden and the entire street. There was no sign of him. Prasun was out of station. Upasana called his brother up who instantly reached them.

“This is why we hated that girl so much.” His wife said. “She must have done it on intention, she must have been jealous of the little one.”

“She was like this with our children too. Always watching them like vulture, even at that age.” She added.

“Please don’t say a single word about my daughter. I am already too tired; I don’t have the energy of giving you explanations for my daughter’s behaviour.” Upasana said firmly. There was something in her expression which silenced the other woman.

innocent love

31.10.2009

Rita was sitting on a chair, just beside the window. It was late at night, Animesh,her husband was again out of station. The soft moonlight illuminated her pained face. She did not even noticed the magic it was spreading outside.

She was a shortheighted, slim woman in her mid thirties. Her short hair looked cute on her childish face, which was wearing a deep frown right now.

She went to bed after a while, not to sleep, which she knew wont come to her easily….

She looked at the face of her tiny daughter Mahak, she was sleeping like an angel, with a soft smile on her lip. She laid down beside her and pulled her close to her.

Its been ten years since their marriage. She still remembers the first day they went out together. She fell in love with Animesh at the first sight. He was tall, dark and handsome. There was some magic in his huge eyes, which were full of patience, wisdom and kindness.

They were sitting in a park. Spring all around them and in Rita’s heart. She was watching the flowers, birds and her fiance’s face again and again.

“I want to tell you something Rita, before you make up your mind about me, our marriage.” He said in a very soft voice. “You know I am an orphan, I was born and brought up in Ramkrishna Mission.”

“I am not marrying you because I need someone in my life, I am marrying you to keep an oath. I promised someone that I will marry you.” He continued.

“I have a past which I cant share with you. Because someone else’s extremely personal life is involved in it.” he continued, “But that past will never effect our life together, all I will ask from you that I will have to go away from you atleast for ten days per month.”


“Whatever I will do during that period is completely honourable, and though I cant share it with you but I know if I could you would have loved me even more.” He said looking at her face sincerely.

“You can call off the engagement, it wont matter to me.” He concluded.

Well, she chose him and promised him that she will never ask a single thing about his past or any thing which he doesnot wants to tell her. Her heart told her to trust him.



The pain:


Mahak came to their life a couple of years later. She was the apple of their eyes.

During the first few years of their marriage Animesh used to go out for a week per month, then it started to get longer. Not only that the frequency too increased. By the time Mahak was seven years old it started to take its toll on their married life.

He has gone away on first of this month for ten days, now it was twenty first and he has again left. This time for five days.

Rita spent the night without a single minute of sleep, next day was Sunday, no school for Mahak. So she was sleeping but Rita got up with the chirping of the birds.

She decided that it was high time that she will speak with Animesh.

Animesh returned on fifth of next month. There was a dark line of tiredness under his eyes.

Rita made arrangements of his rest and took care that Mahak doesnot disturbs him.

Mahak was out playing with children when Animesh woke up. He got up and saw that Rita was sitting outside in the balcony. She looked up at him when he approached her.

Animesh was shocked by the look of her eyes. A deep pain has taken place of the happiness which used to reside there earlier.

He sat down beside her and took her hand in both of his hands, “I am sorry, I owe you an explanation.”

“Its ok, I have promised you when we married that I will never ask any thing which you don’t want to tell me.” Rita said, “Its just I miss you so much…” her voice trailed away as she turned her face away to avoid an eye contact with him.

“I want to share it with you.” He softly said. “Mahak’s Dussehera holidays are starting from tomorrow right? It’s a ten days holiday, lets take a short trip. Just a few hours journey from here.”


Revelation:

They left early next morning by train. Mahak was chirping like a little bird, chattering away endlessly with Rita. Animesh was sitting silently, speaking only when he was forced to speak.

They descended on a small station at the dusk. The evening sun was glowing in the western sky, spreading a pink hue over every thing, birds were returning to their nests chirping like Mahak.

The horizon was dotted with hills, some were near and some far. Some appeared quite high.

Animesh took a taxi and they started their journey. Another couple of hours later they reached a small hotel situated on a hill. They rented a room for ten days.

“Get fresh. We don’t have any thing to do tonight, we will be there tomorrow morning, at ten.” Animesh said.

When Rita woke up next morning Animesh was not in bed. She got up to look for him and saw him sitting on the balcony. Staring at the eastern horizon which was on a riot of colours.

The clear blue sky was scattered with clouds of various colour and the rising sun was pouring down colour on them with both hands. To enhance the beauty a luscious green carpet of grass was surrounding the hotel. Filled with various types of trees.

Animesh took her hand and pulled her beside him. She sat down beside him with her head resting on his shoulder.

Birds were singing all around them, some were invisible and some not.

“Wake Mahak up, get her ready and feed her something.” Animesh said after an hour or so. The sun was already up and the employees and other guests of the hotel were stirring now.

Some were taking walk in the garden below, some were making arrangements for leaving … and the employees were busy attending them.


The meeting:

Animesh called up the reception for a taxi at nine. They climbed the taxi, it winded its way down the hill to climb another.

It finally stopped near the top of the hill, there was a high boundary wall and a group of guards sitting in the guard room at the gate. They knew Animesh because they exchanged nodds.

Animesh asked the taxi driver to either wait for them or come back after four hours. The taxi driver promised he will be back there sharp at four and left.

They entered the hospital after taking the gate pass. Rita has already read the Signboard which she missed at the first glance.

It was as beautiful as picture, small white buildings were scattered among groves of trees and green lawns. Every where there were flower beds filled up with seasonal flowers, butterflies and bees busily flying around them.

“Let Mahak play here, its absolutely safe.” Animesh said. “she will be clearly visible to us.”

“sweetheart, don’t go out of this garden ok?” he told Mahak. “We are going to that room, if you feel scared you can come to that room and ask that aunty to call us. Whatever you do darling don’t shout.” He showed her a room and the nurse sitting outside it.

“Come.” He held Rita’s hand in his hands as they walked across the lawn towards the room.

“Hi Mr. Ghosh.” The nurse looked surprised. “You were here the day before yesterday, were not you?”
“Tandra is just as before, no improvement or deterioration.” She suppressed her surprise.

“Hi sister, meet my wife Rita, I brought her and my daughter Mahak to meet Tandra.” He introduced them and pointed out Mahak, who was playing in the garden. “Will you keep an eye on her?”

The nurse nodded as she smiled at Rita. They entered the room, it was a neat, clean, beautifully decorated room. With vases full of flower on tables and there was a picture of Animesh, Rita and Mahak on one of them. There was another picture too, Animesh, A gorgeous woman and another girl, who looked just like the woman.

Rita turned toward the patient on the bed, it was the same lady in the picture but she has transformed to almost a skeleton. She was either sleeping deeply or was unconscious.

“Come, lets go and sit outside.” Animesh said, “She is sleeping, wont wake up soon.”


The story:

“Sister, we are sitting there on the lawn, will you let me know if Tandra wakes up?” Animesh asked the nurse when they were outside. She softly smiled and nodded.

They sat down on the grass watching Mahak play.

“She is Tandra. My first love. She was my colleague in my first job.”

“I fell in love with her head over heels and she too reciprocated it.”

“We lived together in Bangalore. She was not very keen to marry and I was hoping she will change her mind with time.”

“Two years went by like dream. That morning she called me up and told me she was expecting.”

“I was ecstatic and proposed her again, this time she agreed and we went to the gynae.”

“It was hardly one month and she changed her mind. When I uttered the word marriage next time she bluntly and heartlessly refused me.”

“I begged her for hours but she did not gave in. That night I emptied a bottle of sleeping pill in a glass of juice and swallowed it.”

“when I woke up she was sitting there, holding my hand, her eyes were red and swollen.”

“That was the beginning of my nightmare, she told me that she is a patient of leukemia, and in the final stages, the gynae told her when she went to her.”

“I begged her for days to marry me and give her last years to me but she refused. She told me that if I don’t listen to her she will kill herself.”

“Then Mehul came, and her condition started to deteriorate further, she started to pester me to get married and she herself selected you and forced me to marry you.”

“She has been working in this hospital since last seven or eight years as a doctor, suddenly her condition deteriorated and she collapsed.”

“That’s when my frequency of visiting her increased. Earlier I used to come here see her and Mehul and return after a couple of days.”

“I have never broken the trust which you have laid on me, I don’t think Tandra would have allowed me either.” He said.

Rita firmly held his hand in both of her hands.


The child:

“Where is Mehul?” she asked.

“I have admitted her to a boarding school nearby. Run by a reputed missionary organisation.” Animesh said.

“She comes to visit Tandra once a week either with me or some nun.” He added.

Rita’s heart filled up with deep pain for the small child who will have to face this horrible loss so early.

“How old is she?” she asked.

“Eleven, her eleventh birthday was last month.” Animesh said.

“What were you planning to do with her if something happened to Tandra?” Rita asked him.

“The boarding school is up to twelfth. After that I would have got her enrolled in some good college.” Animesh said.

“I have some other plans for my elder daughter, I am planning to take her with us when we shift to our own home next month.” Rita said, “we will enroll her there and she will live with us like she is supposed to..”

Tandra did not woke up that day, so they left when the taxi came.


The family:

They headed straight for Mehul’s school. It was a small but prestigious looking school.

One of the nuns guided them to the visitor’s room. Animesh went out to the office with Mahak, Rita was sitting there alone when a beautiful girl entered the room. She was an exact replica of her mother.

Rita stood up and hugged her. “ Mehul?” She asked.

The girl nodded, “Who are you?”


Rita softly replied, “I am your mother, your sister is waiting outside with your father.”Mehul denied vehemently, “You cant be my mother, my mother is in hospital, I go to see her often with father or sister Rose.”Rita held her close and softly said, “When your mom fell sick she prayed to God to send her sister to take her place so she could take care of you, and God has sent me to take care of you.”Mehul innocently looked up at her and hugged her tightly.

They returned that day after clearing the formalities and Mehul was admitted in Mahak’s school.Mahak took her new friend and sister, who was only one year older than her with love and gratitude. She already knew the deep misfortune of her big sister. She regularly visited Sumi with everyone else and have seen the cold hostel in which her sister lived before she found a family in them.Under the caring, guiding eyes of Animesh and Rita two flowers started to bloom and spread their fragrance.

Love twists

31.10.2009

Maitreyee placed her bag on the table and went to the toilet to change. Its been a long day at office and the bus took too long to reach station, as a result she missed her usual train.

She went out after a while to the kitchen, her mother was fixing up her snacks. “Mitu, Amal’s parents came again today.” Tripti said when they were sitting together in the balcony.

Maitreyee was looking at the scene outside her home, the street lamps were spreading their yellowish light on the small road in front of her home.

People were returning home after working. Some chatting merrily with friends, some walking alone.

There was an environment of peace and relaxation every where.

“Mitu!!” Tripti insisted.

“Ma, how many times will I have to tell you that I don’t love Amal, I can never accept him as my husband?” she asked softly but there was a tinge of impatience in her voice.

Maitreyee knew Tripti and her father Prakash will be aghast. Amal was one of the most eligible bachelors in this town and he has become obsessed with her.

His family has asked her family again and again for her hand and she has been refusing their proposal for more than last two years.

He was handsome, rich and belonged to a good family. Maitreyee knew him since college days. They were friends then, and then Amal fell in love with her.

She still remembers that day, she was in the second year. They all have gone out for a picnic. Not the whole college only their group of friends. Amal was the main enthuciast of that group. He had a marvellous singing voice.

They selected a plot near damodar river, its sandy banks were ideal for picknickers. There were small, small groups scattered over all the place.

When everyone else expressed their desire for a dip in the river Maitreyee said she will look after the things.

She was sitting there alone, watching them frolicking in the water, splashing water at each other like children. “You did not went to bath with them?” she was startled and turned, it was Amal.


Broken spell:

“No, I am not very well today, otherwise I too would have loved joining them.” Maitreyee said softly.

Amal started to first hum and then clearly sing a song. He had a magical voice, one song preceded other and she sat mesmerized.

She was almost in love with him by the time the group returned to them famished.

The plates were quickly placed and everyone sat down.
Maitreyee noted shyly that he selected the place right beside her. A rush of hot blood ran up to her cheeks and she lowered her head.

Then he started to eat…… she watched him slurping, masticating and swallowing and felt she was sitting beside a oversized primate attired in human clothes. Who blissfully oblivious of the whole world was gorging up his food, like there is no tomorrow.

She nibbled her food and got up to wash her hand. She was sitting on the mat when the second shockwave hit her, he was washing his hands and mouth. She wouldnot have been surprised if it was audible from the other side of the river.. something churned in her stomach and it was not laughter, it was the food she has just eaten.


Those two shockwaves shattered away the sandcastle she has built on that ocean shore called love.

But Amal had no such reason, so to her horror and compassion he instantly became obsessed with her.

She tried every possible way to show him that they were not meant for each other, even tried rudeness but none worked.

Then he took the next step. His parents approached hers and her parents felt they were flying in the seventh sky.

The nests:

Maitreyee was sitting in the balcony. Listening to Kanika Bandhopadhyay. Her deep voice always added some extra peace to her mornings.

Tripti came out with two cups of tea. “Amal’s mother came yesterday when you were in office.”

“There is no need of frowning.” Tripti said when she noted that Maitreyee was about to open her mouth.

“She came to invite us to Amal’s marriage. She repeatedly said that Amal has requested you to attend the marriage.” Tripti handed a card to her.

Maitreyee certainly went there and happily. Amal’s wife Jyotsna was a piece of beauty. A gorgeous looking woman.

Amal welcomed her with over enthuciasm. He described every quality which Jyotsna possessed in long details. He got busy with a childish obsession of flaunting his love for Jyotsna.

Maitreyee could understand that Amal hated her, and his love or passion for her was so strong that he could not hide it, and was unable to hide his hatred now.

On his over eagerness to show his wife off to Maitreyee they became fast friends. Maitreyee and Jyotsna became almost inseparable.



Dusk was settling when Amal came home and sat down near his son sleeping in his cradle. Its been four years since Amal’s marriage, he was blessed with a beautiful son a few months ago.

Jyotsna entered the room with his snacks and tea. She handed him a card with a big smile on her face. It was Maitreyee’s Wedding Invitation.

“That snob finally found a man idiot enough to marry her?” Amal laughed.

Jyotsna did not responded to his taunting only glared at him.

“Its next month.” She said merrily. “I will be busy helping her.”

“Do you want to meet Deeptendu?” She asked, “I am going out for lunch with them next Sunday, you can come along too. I will manage.”

“Sure, I want to see that idiot.” Amal said.


Jyotsna and Amal reached first. They were waiting outside the restaurant when they noted Maitreyee coming towards them, a handsome, tall guy was walking with her.

Introduction over they sat down to have the lunch. Jyotsna was surprised to note that Deeptendu’s table manners were also quite horrible.

“Why did you refused my poor hubby?” Jyotsna grilled her friend when they were alone next time. “He still hates you for that.”

Jyotsna knew the reason why Maitreyee has refused to marry Amal.

“I don’t know myself, do we become more adjusting when we love or we are unkind towards the people we don’t love… “ Maitreyee mused.

“It was love at first sight. I saw Deeptendu and I fell in love. He is an angel, a pure hearted creature. He has his share of flaws but his qualities are too many and too much.” Maitreyee said.

“I fell in love with him just after your marriage, and he proposed to me next month. I have been mixing with him all this time to gauge the depth of my love. Well, I said yes after I became confident that I can love him with his flaws.”

“Love just happens. I believe God had better plans for Amal, that is why I rejected him.” she laughed.

“Not only for him, me too, I got you and Deeptendu.” She added.

“Marriage should occur only when two persons can respect and like each other whole heartedly. Then only they will be able to take the remaining hardships of life, which are bound to come. These waves are tackled by the oars of mutual love and respect, without which the boat will sink, no matter how costly or beautiful it is.” She muttered thoughtfully.

Mercy

I: 30.10.2009

It was his third round of walking through that compartment. Only one man has boarded the train, and he was sleeping.

Bhola has pointed him out from the window and Guddu started his operation. He went past the man three times to assure he was asleep. He even pulled out his broom and cleaned the compartment clean but the man never stirred.

One of his hands covered his eyes and he was stretched on the lower birth.

While he was cleaning the compartment Guddu checked his luggage, there was a big suitcase and a small bag. Bhola has seen some costly things inside that bag when that guy was putting the bottle of mineral water in the bag.

Guddu softly reached out his hands and grabbed the handle of the bag.

A chill ran down Guddu’s spine when he felt that his hand was caught by an iron grip. He blankly stared at the rigid face of the owner of the bag he was expertly fumbling, he did not even imagined that the guy was studying his every movement.
He was one of the dozens small boys hanging around the station in rags, he did not knew who his parent were, the older boys of his group told him that they have found him crying on the platform and have taken him in their gang.

All these small ones, their ages ranging from five to sixteen or seventeen year olds spent their days and nights in the platform, begging and stealing. Sometimes the railway police used to pick them up and after some boxing of ears they were let off again.
The older boys taught him the skills of begging and stealing. He has become an expert thief, but today his luck just betrayed.

Their eyes were interlocked. The guy was looking at him calmly and his eyes were filled up with horror.

“Give him a solid thrashing. Dirty thieves. Why do their parents breed them if they cant feed them.” a guy growled, he has just entered the compartment with his luggage.

Guddu shivered with fear. He knew very well what happens after being thrashed by public. A few months back one of their older boys was caught stealing, he did not even made it to the hospital.


II

The guy caught his hand and took him out of the train compartment. He started to walk toward the RPF office holding his hand firmly.

“Hi! I am Major R. Bose. This boy was trying to snatch my bag. Would you mind if I take him along with me? If his parents come searching for him send them to me.” He handed the inspector his card.

“I know him. he is an orphan. So his parents wont come looking for him.” The inspector said. “Do you want me to register a case?”

“No. if it can be avoided. I am taking him with me then.” The man smiled and left the office.

A few hours later Guddu was sitting with him in his drawing room. His wife and daughter were sitting in another sofa.

“I brought him home Kamalika, I just could not leave him there. So many times I have seen these urchins shrivelling up before their time.” The man was saying.

“You did the right thing darling.” She smiled.

Another hour later Guddu was wearing a clean set of dress and eating his lunch with them.

Thus he became a part of Major Raktim Bose’s family. Major Bose adopted him after an year. He started to bring him up with deep affection.

Major Bose’s daughter Chaiti was a few years younger than him.

Guddu was christened as Kamalesh, he was a very intelligent boy and shined like a diamond under Raktim and Kamalika’s care.

Years flew by. Kamalesh became a doctor and started his career in army. He lived with his parents, whereas Chaiti was married off to a NRI settled in New York.


III

Kamalesh fell in love with Reva, they got married soon. She was the only child of another army officer. A free willed girl.

A few months later frictions started to crop up, Reva was born and brought up in a reckless environment, both her parents were busy with themselves, she just grew up, without any guidance from them. she was absolutely habituated of having her ways whereas her inlaws were quite disciplined.

Her parents kept on insisting her to shift with them, they were feeling lonely without her.

She controlled her parents and thought she will be able to control Kamalesh too, well she was wrong. She tried all the weapons, even tried to brainwash him using his past but failed.

To Kamalesh they were his true parents, actually greater than them. So he made his stands clear to Reva and she too stopped banging her head on wall.

After trying for a few years she resigned. Then she did not had much choice either because their love has borne its fruit, a little angel was illuminating their world, their daughter tiyasa.

She was the sweetheart of the whole family and neighbours. A child beautiful like a doll. Talkative as a small brook rushing down a hill. Always talking, always running like her.

Every thing was perfect in that home; the disharmony crept in from blue sky. One morning they received a phone call from Chaiti’s in-laws.

Chaiti’s husband Dinesh has passed away in a horrible accident which has left Chaiti permanently disabled. She is in Mumbai with them.

They rushed to Mumbai and brought back Chaiti with them. Her in-laws gave in after seeing the devastated look on Kamalika’s face.

IIII

Chaiti started her therapies at army hospital but the therapist was not much optimist. He told Major Bose in discretion that chances were almost zero.

The girl who was full of happiness and joy transformed into a petulant woman. Kamalesh remembered her last visit, she and Tiasa have driven every one crazy. They used to sleep together at night; Tiasa has absolutely forgotten her own parents during her stay.

She tried to warm up to her pishimoni the moment she saw Chaiti but met cold refusal.

She was drowning in her misery and every one else was slowly giving in to her sorrow. The worst sufferer was Tiasa.

All of a sudden all her actions were under censored. She was forbidden from talking, running, playing….. the home became a cage for that little bird.

Reva was writing some letters in the front porch, Tiasa was running around in the lawn, screaming, shouting.

She turned her face at a sound and saw Chaiti passing by her in her wheel chair, her lips were firmly sealed together, resembling a thin line. She looked at Tiasa with irritation and wheeled toward the kitchen.

Reva got up and entered the lawn. Tiasa rushed towards her and hugged her tightly. “Ma catch a butterfly for me!!!! Please ma!!”

“Titi, you have to do one thing for me, will you do it darling?” she asked her.

“What ma?” she asked back, sitting firmly on her lap, wrapping her small arms around her neck.

“You used to sleep with pishimoni when she came here last year, you remember?” she asked. “Can you sleep with her again?”

“No ma! Pishimoni does not love me any more.” Tiasa said.

“She does titi, but she is sad that is why she does not plays with you anymore. You remember Moshai? A naughty ghost took him away and he comes to scare pishimoni at night.”

“If you sleep with her at the night the ghost will be scared to scare her and she will play with you again. But you have to promise me another thing; you will not tell pishimoni any thing. Promise?”

“Okay ma!!!” She answered wisely.

Reva went back to the house, Chaiti was sitting in her room. She was surprised to see Reva making arrangements of Tiasa’s sleeping in her room.

“Tiasa was begging to sleep with you like she did before.” Reva said and left the room before she could say any thing.

Next morning when Kamalika entered Chaiti’s room she was not there. She went out to the porch and saw her sitting on the lawn, Tiasa on her lap, both inspecting something which Tiasa was holding in her hand. She tiptoed back to the kitchen.